question regarding jeep cherokee

[coooray619]

does anyone have any knowledge about slip yoke eliminators? i just sold my ranger and bought a 1998 cherokee and im trying to figure out everything im gunna need to get this thing lifted (most likely a 3" so i can get 30x9.5s and use stock gears). but aparently when u lift 96+ cherokees u get vibration in the driveshaft or something along those lines, and the best way to stop this is a "slip yoke eliminator" (thats what ive read anyways). im not sure exactly what this is or how to instal it, so id greatly appreciate any imput. thnx alot, corey

and if anyone is into cherokees, any suggestions about mods i could do would be great

[jeff]

The slip yoke eliminator (aka SYE) really does three things... it allows for a longer rear driveshaft that helps reduce the vibration caused by an increase in the joint angles caused by the rear lift... it's also stronger because it's a fixed yoke that attaches the driveshaft to the transfer case and it allows you to keep the transfer case in its stock location. You do have another option though... that being a transfer case drop down kit. These drop kits are cheaper and easier for most low-buck guys to install and are included with most mild lift kits. The same applies to the YJ, TJ, ZJ, and in your case, the XJ. The downside is your transfer case hangs down more and is more likely to get caught up on the rocks or other trail obstacles. Unless you really plan on wheelin' the Jeep I'd say go with the transfer case drop down kit.

This isn't meant to tick you off... because you don't know what a slip yoke eliminator is I'd suggest going to a site that specializes in Jeeps and start from the ground up. Jeep sites are like (self imposed daddy doesn't love me) and everybody has one. Check into a transfer case drop because my guess is it'll better fit your budget and is something I'd bet money on you can install. You can always remove it later and install the SYE if you decide to go that route.

Aloha

[coooray619]

icic. makes sense. yea, ive looking at alot of differents sites. there seems to be mixed opinions on things. for instance, some say not to do the transfer case drop cause it could damage ur tranny in some way. some also say its better to get extended arms and some say the stock arms will be fine with a 3" lift. just thought id go here first cause i have been a ranger guy in the past and im a little more familiar with this site. does anyone know if the tranny thing has any truth to it?

[ntsqd]

The longer arms will give a better ride. Stock arms effectively get shorter when you lift it. I personally would consider the long arms with no lift.

[TimHayosh]

FWIW: When I put the 5.5" Rubicon lift on my '94, I drove it fo several weeks with the OEM drive shaft...no vibes. I have heard you don't need an SYE until you lift above 4"-5".

An excellent reference website: www.jeepsunlimited.com (http://www.jeepsunlimited.com)

[jeff]

It also depends on the Cherokee in question... 2-door versus 4-door.

Is this just a daily driver you are building for looks or is it something that will see lots of time out in the dirt or rocks? A pavement pounder Cherokee doesn't need a fancy or expensive lift to get it up in the air... but a cheap lift won't do squat to really improve the flex off-road. PM me and I might be able to help locate a kit for less than retail - wink wink.

Aloha

[coooray619]

the jeepsunlimited site is where i got all these questions from cause it says, "'95 or older models shouldn't experience much if any vibes from the rear driveshaft, but '96 and newer have a tendency to develop driveshaft vibes at lower lifts because of a different slip-yoke/output-shaft design". at lower lifts, which is me. i want to get at least some offroad performance out of a kit cause ill most likely be at the desert a time or two with my friends, or out camping or whatever i might need. its also gunna get me back and forth from san diego and irvine where i go to school so i need some onroad friendlyness. what will extended arm with no lift result in? no height, just travel? i want it to look nice as well, so.... keep the suggestions coming, this is helping alot

[jeff]

Ok.... this is for a 2wd Cherokee. You should've said that to begin with. I was an idiot and just naturally assumed you had a 4wd Cherokee. Well without a NP231 behind the transmission you don't have to worry about the SYE or dropping the transfer case... there isn't one to drop!

Aloha

[DougM]

Slap on a set of Rancho 3" coils, some Bilsteins a set of 31" A/Ts or tires of your choice, and of course an alignmet(after the coils have settled for 100 miles) and your set.

I've done plenty of these lifts and Im in SD let me know if you have anymore questions.

[coooray619]

oooooooooo, damn. i seem to be the idiot then. for some reason i was thinking that the sye was for the rear wheels. and your right, there isnt even a tranfer case on this damn thing. haha, sorry guys. so all i need is some coils, shocks, rear leafs, and tires? sounds about right, what does everyone else think?

[Jack]

"It also depends on the Cherokee in question... 2-door versus 4-door."

How?

They are the same legth and wheel base.

[jeff]

Weight. With all of the different options packages you can either have a lightweight 2-door model or a heavy 4-door model. The difference can easily be over 200lbs on 2wd models. The Limited edition is easily 400lbs heavier than the base model too. The 2-door / 4-door wasn't SYE related - it was in regards to a rear spring question. As far as I know most XJ Cherokees have a 101.4" wheelbase. The trackwidth on some models varies but the wheelbase is constant.

If you toss a cheapo add-leaf into the lightest 2-door model you'll get more lift than if it's installed in the heaviest 4-door model. Slowly but surely we are figuring out the Jeep specs http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Aloha